The Best Places to Watch the 2025 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
If you’ve ever stood along the Intracoastal Waterway on a crisp December evening and felt the hum of excitement moments before the first glowing boats rounds the bend… then you already know: The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade is pure magic.
And the 2025 parade, the 31st annual celebration, promises to be one of the brightest yet.
Whether you’re a longtime local, a first-time visitor, or someone dreaming of watching it from the comfort of your own waterfront home, this guide will walk you through the tradition, the best viewing spots, and even a few neighborhoods where the parade sails right past your backyard.
More than 30 years ago, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County decided to bring a coastal twist to holiday cheer. They launched a nighttime boat parade, a lineup of decked-out vessels, from tiny center consoles to mega-yachts, to brighten the season along the Intracoastal.
Over time, the parade evolved into something even more meaningful. The toy-donation tradition was added, helping organizations like Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. Locals wave flashlights to signal donation boats, families gather with cocoa and blankets, and the first blast of fireworks announces the parade’s approach.
Today, the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade isn’t just a show — it’s a community celebration, a coastal holiday homecoming, and one of the most anticipated nights of the year.
Mark your calendar: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
The parade starts in North Palm Beach, cruises north along the Intracoastal, and finishes near the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, usually reaching it around 8 PM.
Here’s what you’ll see:
It’s joyful. It’s colorful. And honestly? It’s spectacular.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the show: casual, lively, romantic, family-friendly. You can pick the vibe you want.
If you want to feel the anticipation build, North Palm Beach is the place to be. Boats gather, music starts pumping, and the fireworks launch overhead as the parade officially gets underway.
Great spots include:
North Palm Beach Country Club
Anchorage Park
Along Marina Drive
Watching the boat parade while sipping a cocktail or having dinner? Yes, please.
The area around Waterway Café, Seasons 52, and the restaurants hugging the Intracoastal near PGA Boulevard offers the perfect mix of atmosphere and convenience.
It’s lively here; music from the restaurants, crowds cheering as boats glide by, cameras flashing, kids pointing at their favorite displays. If you’re hosting friends, this is a fun and social way to experience the parade.
If you prefer the parade at peak glow, when the night sky is darkest and the lights shine brightest, head to Jupiter.
Top viewing areas include:
Jupiter Waterfront at Harbourside Place
The Riverwalk
Lighthouse Park
Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street
Square Grouper
Between the lighthouse backdrop, the music, and the waterfront restaurants, Jupiter gives the parade a spectacular ending.
Here’s the quiet little secret locals know:
If you live on the Intracoastal between North Palm Beach and Jupiter… you basically own a VIP box for the boat parade.
Every December, your backyard transforms into a floating holiday runway.
Homes off Lakeside Drive
Properties near the Country Club Marina
Intracoastal estates with long southeast-facing views
Maheu Estates
Communities near PGA Boulevard with direct water frontage
Homes backing up to the Intracoastal near Juno Park
Quiet streets with wide-open canal access
Jupiter Inlet Colony
Homes along the Loxahatchee River
Waterfront estates near Tequesta Drive
Get there early - parking fills fast
Bring a blanket or fold-up chairs
Keep a flashlight handy to signal the toy-drive boats
Wear layers - December evenings can surprise you
If you’re on the water, anchor safely and stay clear of the parade route
And most of all… soak it in
There’s nothing quite like watching bright boats silently glide across the water under a holiday sky.
Experience the Magic of the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
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